The Perfect Dog system?

[Biomajir]

Have any of you heard of this training system? It is called Don Sullivan's Perfect Dog training system. It comes with two DVD's, what look like special leashes of different sizes, and a plastic pinch collar. The website and the infomercial of course make it seem amazing, but I really wonder. If it really would work I would love to get it for my dog. What do you guys think? I think you can find the site by googling "The Perfect Dog".

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[Electrophile]

I haven't heard of it but I did google it and search it briefly. I can't really see a summary of his training philosophy, but I'm not a big fan of those who think everything your dog does that's "wrong" is a grab for dominance. Sometimes it is, for certain, but it's more than often just bad behavior being rewarded.

There's a very simple rule in dog (or people) behavior: any behavior that is reinforced will continue. While I don't think that all training techniques that use positive punishment are bad (there are real world consequences out there and I'd rather use an e-collar or a prong collar to proof a recall than have my dogs get hit by a car because they'd rather chase a rabbit than come for a treat), I dislike calling motivational training "bribery." It's not bribery any more than his magical collar (which just looks like a PC version of a prong collar, which I would personally rather use anyways) will be magically still work once the dog becomes collar savvy and learns to bolt once the collar is off.

Once again, any behavior that is reinforced will continue.

 

[sumstorm]

There are plenty of excellent training systems based on science that are open and available for the public.

While I am not a 100% clicker trainer, reading through the posts at www.clickertraining.com can give you a decent introduction to reinforcement based training. Reinforcement works and has a lot of science to back it up. It works with every animal I have ever trained (which range through fish, toads, birds, reptiles, small and large mammals, including humans, and marine mammals.)

I personally do not use shock collars, there are other ways to proof (I am not saying they can't ever be used skillfully, thought the people who can are few and far between). I also very rarely use treats. I am a search and rescue air scent handler, and a disaster recovery handler. My dogs need to respond to cues without question and they need to think for themselves. Also, reinforcement training builds the bond between human and animal, rather than making either frustrated or anxious around the other.